By / Kristi Patton
It is no surprise to onlookers that the Wilfred Laurier Golden Hawks are at the top of the CIS, but tell that to the team and its another story.
“It wasn’t until we were 12-0 that people were coming up to us and saying, ‘wow, that is a good streak,’ that we truly noticed,” said third-year Golden Hawks netminder Liz Knox. “I think a large part of that is we are taking it one game at a time, keeping our focus just
on that.”
The pipes behind her are protected just like the army base (Fort Knox) that shares her family name. In the 11 games she has started this season, she has six shutouts. But the goaltender is humble and credits her teammates’ hard work for the consistency.
“My teammates playing in front of me in the defensive zone coverage makes it easy to put those numbers up,” said Knox.
Her confidence is at an all-time high and that is thanks to a roster with a lot of depth.
“On any given night, our so-called fourth line can compete like a first line. We don’t name our lines first, second, third or fourth. It also adds a lot knowing that the defense in front of you can be trusted,” said Knox.
Finishing last season with a silver medal at nationals has left the Hawks wanting more and perhaps a re-match against McGill (ranked number one in CIS) for the gold.
Having Golden Hawks goaltender coach Cindy Eadie has helped Knox elevate her game along with the experience of trying out for the U-22 national women’s squad.
The agile goaltender was given the opportunity to play exhibition games against the U.S. team in the summer.
“It was such an eye-opener for me. We were told that they skate faster, shoot harder and move the puck faster but it wasn’t until we actually played them that I understood,”
she said.
Knox is now waiting on pins and needles to find out if she can take her national team experience to the next level. The decision for the U-22 team final roster is expected to come the second week of December. The team will be playing in Ravensburg, Germany in early January to compete for the 2009 MLP Cup, formerly known as the Air Canada Cup.
The goalie said it wasn’t only on-ice skills she picked up at the camp, but some inspirational words that she says will stick with her for life.
“Danielle Goyette spoke to us at the first cuts and said something that really hit home with me. She said whenever she tried out for the National team she didn’t try out for the team to make a difference in her. She tried out to make a difference to the team,” said Knox. “That is something to take with you in all aspects of life.”
The numbers
Over the past two years, Knox can boast a 26-3-2 regular season record. Last year, her 0.97 goals against average ranked third in the nation, her seven shutouts ranked second in the nation, and her 0.945 save percentage ranked fourth in the nation.
Knox’s work in net led her to being named an OUA second team all-star. As well, her remarkable play throughout the CIS playoffs that helped lift Laurier into the 2008 CIS final where she was rewarded with recognition as a CIS championship tournament all-star. |